title: Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus case studies.
abstract: Over the past decade, the emergence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) has changed the landscape of S. aureus infections around the globe. Initially recognized for its ability to cause disease in young and healthy individuals without healthcare exposures as well as for its distinct genotype and phenotype, this original description no longer fully encompasses the diversity of CA-MRSA as it continues to expand its niche. Using four case studies, we highlight a wide range of the clinical presentations and challenges of CA-MRSA. Based on these cases we further explore the globally polygenetic background of CA-MRSA with a special emphasis on generally less characterized populations.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Madeleine G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Sowash
authors.forename: Anne-Catrin
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Uhlemann
mesh_terms: D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D057236:Travel Medicine; D055815:Young Adult